King names new intelligence chief

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has tapped the former deputy defense minister to lead the Kingdom’s intelligence services.

The king named Prince Khaled bin Bandar to the post of chief of general intelligence in a decree on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Khaled was relieved of his post as deputy defense minister on Saturday, barely six weeks after he was appointed.

Prince Khaled was previously the governor of the Riyadh region, an important post he assumed in February 2013 that involves overseeing the capital and provides opportunities for direct contact with top officials and visiting dignitaries.

The king also named the former intelligence chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, as adviser and special envoy to the king.

Prince Bandar was ambassador to the US for 22 years before becoming director general of Saudi intelligence agency in July 2012.

He was relieved of his post at the helm of the intelligence agency in April.

King Abdullah recently ordered authorities to take all necessary measures to secure the Kingdom from terrorist groups or others who “might undermine the security of the homeland,” according to a report by the state news agency that noted particular concern about developments in Iraq.